Method and apparatus for cleaning and inspecting oil well drilling mud flow lines

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a method of cleaning and inspection of drilling mud carrying flow lines, each flow line having an inner surface. The method includes affixing a fitting to the flow line, the fitting having a main flow channel and a branch flow channel extending at an angle from said main flow channel. A first end portion of the fitting can have an attachment that enables connection of the fitting to the flow line at one flow line end portion. A second end portion of the fitting can have one or more doors that can be moved between opened and closed positions, the door or doors providing an opening that is not closed when the doors are in the closed position. A suction line can be connected to the branch flow channel. A cleaning tool can be guided first into the fitting and then into the flow line using a fluid carrying cable. The cleaning tool and jetting fluid can be used to clean drilling mud and debris from the inner surface of the flow line. The jetting fluid can be removed via the branch flow channel using the suction line. The cable can extend through the door opening or openings when the door or doors are in the closed position. A camera can be guided into the flow line using a camera cable wherein the camera cable extends through the door opening or openings. The cleaning tool is preferably too small to fit through the door opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/164,985, filed 21 May 2015, which isincorporated herein by reference. Priority of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/164,985, filed 21 May 2015 is hereby claimed.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the cleaning and inspection of oil welldrilling mud carrying flow lines. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning flow lines thatcarry oil and gas well drilling mud wherein a specially configuredfitting enables the flow lines to be inspected before and aftercleaning. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to animproved method and apparatus for cleaning and inspecting oil welldrilling mud flow lines wherein a specifically configured fittingenables safe cleaning of the flow lines wherein a single apertureaccommodates either camera or cleaning tool and related cables withdoors that can be opened for insertion of larger cleaning tool orcamera.

2. General Background of the Invention

Pipe systems are typically used to carry drilling mud on oil and gasdrilling platforms. Drilling mud is a thick and viscous material thatcan adhere to the inner surface of the pipe bore and its fittings overtime. Eventually this caked on drilling mud must be removed because itreduces the effective inside diameter of the pipe, thus reducing flowrates.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of cleaning and inspectingdrilling mud carrying flow lines. Such flow lines each have an innersurface surrounding a flow bore. The method and apparatus includes theaffixation of a specially configured fitting to a selected flow linethat has been used to carry drilling mud.

The fitting includes a main flow channel with a central axis and abranch flow channel extending at an angle (e.g., 45 degrees) from themain flow channel axis.

A first end portion of the fitting has an attachment (e.g., flange) thatenables connection of the fitting to the flow line, a pipe flange orother opening.

The second end portion of the fitting can have one or more movable doorsthat can be moved between opened and closed positions. The doors have anopening for a cleaning bore or camera cable even when the door or doorsare in a closed position. The opening is preferably sized and shaped toenable a cleaning fluid hose or camera cable to pass through. Theopening is preferably of a small diameter so that a cleaning tool whichis affixed to the end of the cleaning hose cannot pass through.

A branch flow line is preferably provided on the fitting to which isconnected a suction line.

The method includes the guiding of a cleaning tool into the fitting andthen into the flow line to be cleaned preferably using a fluid carryingcable. The fluid carrying cable carries pressurized fluid that issuitable for cleaning via a jet type cleaning tool. The cleaning toolpreferably jets fluid to the inner surface of the flow line for cleaningaway drilling mud, scale, debris and the like from the inner surface ofthe flow line. In order to prevent escape of the cleaning tool from thepipe system and fitting, the opening preferably allows the hose to passbut not the cleaning tool. In this fashion, the door or doors prevent abackward travel of the cleaning tool which could result in injury tonearby workers or technicians.

The method includes removing the jetting fluid (and any debris, scale orthe like) via the branch flow line in a continuous fashion duringcleaning. A suction to which is preferably attached to the branch lineand can be used for removing cleaning fluid and debris continuously.

The door or doors preferably remain in the closed position duringcleaning, the fluid carrying cable extending through the door opening oropenings as the cleaning tool moves through the piping system.

After cleaning is completed, a video camera can be guided into thefitting and then into the flow line using a camera cable, wherein thecamera cable extends through the door opening or openings.

While the cleaning tool is preferably sized and shaped to fit inside thebore of the pipe to be cleaned, the cleaning tool is too large to fitthrough the door opening when the door or doors are closed.

Opening of the door or doors preferably enables the cleaning tool (or acamera) to enter the fitting and flow line.

In one embodiment, there are a pair of said doors and wherein the dooropening can be formed when the doors are moved to the closed position.

In one embodiment, the fitting main channel and branch channel can forman acute angle.

In one embodiment, the cleaning tool preferably travels through the mainflow channel of the fitting.

In one embodiment, the suction preferably includes a suction flow lineconnected to the branch flow line and a pump attached to the suctionflow line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages ofthe present invention, reference should be had to the following detaileddescription, read in conjunction with the following drawings, whereinlike reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drilling mud piping system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drilling mud piping system;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a drilling mud piping system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-9 show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention. In FIGS. 1-3, there can be seen a pipe system, pipe section,spool piece or piping arrangement 11 that has been used to carrydrilling mud on an oil and gas drilling platform. It should beunderstood that the piping system 11 shown in FIGS. 1-3 is an example ofa drilling mud conveying piping system to be cleaned. Drilling mud is athick and viscous material that can adhere to the inner surface of thepipe 12 bore and its pipe fittings 13 over time. The piping section 11can include pipe 12 as well as pipe fittings 13 such as elbows or ells,tee fittings or other pipe fittings 13. Eventually this caked ondrilling mud must be removed because it reduces the effective insidediameter of the pipe 12, reducing flow rates.

Such piping systems or spool pieces 11 have fittings such as an annualflange F to which the fitting 15 of the present invention can be affixedfor cleaning.

Fitting or safety cap apparatus 15 is preferably attached to the flangeF using clamps/fixtures or the other attachments 14. The fitting orsafety cap apparatus 15 has a pipe flange 16 on one end portion and asecond flange 19 at another end portion as shown, for example, in FIG.8. Safety cap apparatus 15 includes a cylindrically shaped section 17having a bore 18. The cylindrical section 17 includes flange 16 andflange 19. Flanges 16, 19 can be annular flanges. Fitting 15 can beconnected to flange F with a rubber seal 37 in between flange 16 andflange F (see FIGS. 4, 7, and 9). At flange 19, a pair of doors 20, 21can be affixed. Each of the doors 20, 21 can be pivotally attached tothe fitting 15.

In FIGS. 5-6, 9, there can be seen a first door 20 and a second door 21.Door 20 has a slot or semicircular opening 26. Door 21 has a slot orsemicircular opening 27. In FIGS. 6 and 8, door 20 is in an openposition exposing bore 18. In FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, door 21 is in a closedposition. Notice in the closed position of FIGS. 6 and 9 that slot oropening 27 closely conforms to fluid carrying hose 28. In FIG. 5, bothdoors 20, 21 are closed or in a closed position. Hose 28 can be fed intobore 18 via opening 36 for advancing cleaning tool 38 into the pipe orpipes 12 of piping system 11 in the direction of arrow 39 in FIG. 4.Hose feed 33 can be a commercially available hose feed device such asthe STONE AGE AUTOBOX (Model ABX-500).

In the doors 20, 21 closed position of FIG. 5, the slots or openings 26,27 form a circular aperture 36 preferably having a diameter that isequal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of hose 28. However,the aperture 36 preferably has a diameter that is smaller than thediameter or transverse dimension of a cleaning tool 38 that is affixedto the end of hose 28. Such a cleaning tools 38 can be water blasting orpressure washing heads known in the art and commercially available. Thesmaller diameter aperture 36 prevents escape via backward travel of thecleaning tool 38 on hose 28 which escape could cause injury to nearbypersons.

Each door 20, 21 can be pivotally attached at pivots or boltedconnections 22, 23 to flange 19. Flange 19 can thus provide multipleflange openings 25 for accepting bolted connections or pivots 22, 23 orpins 24 as seen in FIGS. 6 and 8.

Locking or pinned connections 24 can be used to secure each door 20, 21in the closed position (see FIGS. 5-6 and 8). In FIG. 5, the combinationof bolted connections or pivots 22, 23 and locking pins 24 each holddoor 20, 21 in the closed position.

Branch line 29 has an internal bore that is in fluid communication withthe bore 18 of fitting 15. Branch line 29 connects with suction hose 31using interlocking fittings 32 (on hose 31) and 30 (on branch line 29).Suction hose 31 connects at one end to fitting 15 and at its other endto a pump that produces suction in line 31. Suction line 31 continuouslyremoves cleaning fluid from the piping system 11 as it is injected viahose 28 and its cleaning tool 38. The removed fluid also containsremoved particulate matter including caked on drilling mud, scale, rustand debris. The pump can then discharge the collected cleaning fluid,drilling mud, scale, rust and debris into a collection vessel fordisposal, separation or processing.

In FIG. 8, a padeye 35 on fitting 15 enables connection to fitting 15 ofa safety cable 34. Flange 16 provides a padeye opening 40 for attachingpadeye 35. Cable 34 is preferably wrapped around the pipe section orspool piece 11 or pipe 12 and then connected to padeye 35 using afastener such as a shackle.

The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in thepresent invention:

PARTS LIST: PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION 10 cleaning system/inspection system11 pipe section/spool piece/piping system 12 pipe 13 elbow/ell/pipefitting/Tee fitting pipe 14 clamp/fixture 15 fitting/safety capapparatus 16 annular flange/pipe flange 17 cylindrical section 18 bore19 flange 20 door 21 door 22 pivot/bolted connection 23 pivot/boltedconnection 24 locking pin/pinned connection 25 flange opening 26 dooropening/semicircular opening 27 door opening/semicircular opening 28fluid carrying hose 29 branch line 30 fitting 31 suction hose 32fitting/hose fitting/connector 33 hose feed 34 safety cable 35 padeye 36circular aperture/opening 37 rubber seal 38 cleaning tool 39 arrow 40padeye opening F inlet flange/annular flange/pipe flange/blind flange

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature andpressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. Allmaterials used or intended to be used in a human being arebiocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; thescope of the present invention is to be limited only by the followingclaims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of cleaning and inspection ofdrilling mud carrying flow lines, each flow line having an innersurface, comprising the steps of: a) affixing a fitting to the flowline, said fitting having a main flow channel with a first diameter anda branch flow channel extending at an angle from said main flow channel;b) a first end portion of the fitting having an attachment that enablesconnection of the fitting to the flow line at one flow line end portion;c) the fitting having a second end portion spaced away from said firstend portion and having one or more doors that can be moved betweenopened and closed positions, the door or doors providing an opening of asecond diameter that is smaller than the first diameter that is notclosed when the doors are in the closed position; d) connecting asuction line to said branch flow channel in between said first andsecond end portions; e) guiding a cleaning tool first into the fittingand then into the flow line using a fluid carrying cable having a thirddiameter that is smaller than said second diameter; f) using thecleaning tool and jetting fluid to clean drilling mud and debris fromthe inner surface of the flow line; g) removing the jetting fluid ofstep “f” via the branch flow channel using the suction line of step “d”;h) wherein in step “f” when said door or doors are in the closedposition, the cable is able to extend through the door opening; i)guiding a camera into the flow line using a camera cable wherein thecamera cable extends through the door opening or openings; j) whereinthe cleaning tool is too large to fit through the door opening when thedoor or doors are in the closed position; k) opening the door or doorsduring step “e” so that the cleaning tool can enter the flow line; andl) closing the door or doors after step “j”.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein in step “c” there are a pair of said doors and wherein said dooropening is formed when the doors are moved to the closed position. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein in step “a” the fitting main channel andbranch channel form an acute angle.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein instep “e” the cleaning tool travels through the main flow channel of thefitting.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein in step “g” the suctionincludes a suction flow line connected to the branch flow channel and apump attached to the suction flow line.
 6. A method of cleaning andinspection of drilling mud carrying flow lines, each flow line having aninner surface, comprising the steps of: a) affixing a fitting to theflow line, said fitting having a fitting body with a main flow channeland a branch flow channel extending at an angle from said main flowchannel; b) a first end portion of the fitting having an attachment thatenables connection of the fitting to the flow line at one flow line endportion; c) a second end portion of the fitting having one or more doorsthat can be moved between opened and closed positions, the door or doorsproviding an opening that is not closed when the doors are in the closedposition; d) wherein the branch flow channel is in between said firstand second end portions; e) opening the door or doors to the openedposition; f) connecting a suction line to said branch flow channel; g)while the doors are in the opened position, guiding a cleaning toolfirst into the fitting and then into the flow line using a fluidcarrying cable; h) using the cleaning tool and jetting fluid to cleandrilling mud and debris from the inner surface of the flow line; i)removing the jetting fluid of step “f” via the branch flow channel usingthe suction of step “d”; j) wherein in step “e” the door or doors are inthe closed position, the cable extending through the door opening oropenings; k) wherein the cleaning tool is too small to fit through thedoor opening when the door or doors are in the closed position; l)opening the door or doors during step “e” so that the cleaning tool canenter the flow line; and m) closing the doors after step “j”.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein in step “c” there are a pair of said door andwherein said door opening is formed when the doors are moved to theclosed position.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein in step “a” thefitting main channel and branch channel form an acute angle.
 9. Themethod of claim 6, wherein in step “e” the cleaning tool travels throughthe main flow channel of the fitting.
 10. The method of claim 6, whereinin step “f” the suction includes a suction flow line connected to thebranch flow line and a pump attached to the suction flow line.
 11. Amethod of cleaning and inspection of drilling mud carrying flow lines,each flow line having an inner surface, comprising the steps of: a)affixing a fitting to the flow line, said fitting providing an outerwall surrounding an open ended flow channel that has first and secondend portions with first and second openings at said first and second endportions and a branch flow channel in between said first and second endportions; b) a first end portion of the fitting having an attachmentthat enables connection of the fitting to the flow line at one flow lineend portion; c) the fitting having a second end portion spaced away fromsaid first end portion and having one or more doors that can be movedbetween opened and closed positions, the door or doors in the closedposition providing a door opening of a second diameter that is smallerthan the first diameter; d) connecting a suction line to said branchflow channel in between said first and second end portions; e) guiding acleaning tool first into the fitting and then into the flow line using ajetting fluid carrying cable having a third diameter that is smallerthan said second diameter; f) using the cleaning tool and the jettingfluid of step “e” to clean drilling mud and debris from the innersurface of the flow line; g) removing the jetting fluid of steps “e” and“f” via the branch flow channel using the suction line of step “d”; h)wherein in step “f” when said door or doors are in the closed position,and the cable occupies the door opening; i) guiding a camera into theflow line using a camera cable wherein the camera cable extends throughthe door opening; j) wherein the cleaning tool is too large to fitthrough the door opening when the door or doors are in the closedposition; k) opening the door or doors during step “e” so that thecleaning tool can bypass the door or doors and enter the flow line; andl) closing the door or doors after step “j”.
 12. The method of claim 11,wherein in step “c” there are a pair of said doors and wherein said dooropening is formed when the doors are moved to the closed position. 13.The method of claim 12 wherein each door has a semicircular recess andsaid semicircular recesses form said door opening in said closedposition.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein each door has asemicircular periphery.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein in step “e”the cleaning tool travels through the main flow channel of the fitting.16. The method of claim 11, wherein in step “g” the suction includes asuction flow line connected to the branch flow channel and a pumpattached to the suction flow line.
 17. The method of claim 11 wherein instep “a” there are no other openings in said fitting other than saidfirst and second openings and said branch flow channel.
 18. The methodof claim 11 wherein the fitting has a cylindrically shaped portion. 19.A method of cleaning and inspection of drilling mud carrying flow lines,each flow line having an inner surface, comprising the steps of: a)affixing a fitting to the flow line, said fitting providing an outerwall surrounding an open ended flow channel that has first and secondend portions with first and second openings at said first and second endportions and a branch flow channel in between said first and second endportions; b) a first end portion of the fitting having an attachmentthat enables connection of the fitting to the flow line at one flow lineend portion; c) the fitting having a second end portion spaced away fromsaid first end portion and having one or more doors that can be movedbetween opened and closed positions, the door or doors providing anopening of a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameterthat is not closed when the doors are in the closed position; d)connecting a suction line to said branch flow channel in between saidfirst and second end portions; e) guiding a cleaning tool first into thefitting and then into the flow line using a jetting fluid carrying cablehaving a third diameter that is smaller than said second diameter; f)using the cleaning tool and the jetting fluid of step “e” to cleandrilling mud and debris from the inner surface of the flow line; g)removing the jetting fluid of steps “e” and “f” via the branch flowchannel using the suction line of step “d”; h) wherein in step “f” whensaid door or doors are in the closed position, and the cable occupiesthe door opening; i) wherein the cleaning tool is too small to fitthrough the door opening when the door or doors are in the closedposition; j) opening the door or doors during step “e” so that thecleaning tool can enter the flow line; and k) closing the door or doorsafter step “j”.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein in step “c” thereare a pair of said doors and wherein said door opening is formed whenthe doors are moved to the closed position.
 21. The method of claim 20wherein each door has a semicircular recess and said semicircularrecesses form said door opening in said closed position.
 22. The methodof claim 20 wherein each door has a semicircular periphery.
 23. Themethod of claim 19, wherein in step “e” the cleaning tool travelsthrough the main flow channel of the fitting.
 24. The method of claim19, wherein in step “g” the suction includes a suction flow lineconnected to the branch flow channel and a pump attached to the suctionflow line.
 25. The method of claim 19 wherein in step “a” there are noother openings in said fitting other than said first and second openingsand said branch flow channel.
 26. The method of claim 19 wherein thefitting has a cylindrically shaped portion.